It is telling that one of the authors of the new Democratic Party slogan, “For the People,” said that the slogan was not inspired by or derived from Lincoln’s phrase, “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” If the party leadership truly believed in the principle of representative democracy embodied in Lincoln’s admonition, they would all resign in favor of leaders who reflect the lived experiences of the people the leadership purports to represent. Instead, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and their appointed minions cling to power and position in their paternalistic belief that they know what is best “for the people.” When the “blue wave” comes in November, it will be because the people know that it’s in their best interest to take their government back, and the people will also take their party back to the principles of representative democracy.

Writing this letter saddens me, because I appreciate the hard work of the individuals I criticize. Nancy Pelosi, in particular, was a towering leader with significant legislative achievements, not the least of which is the Affordable Care Act. Her and their lack of awareness, of themselves and of these times, puts everything they’ve worked for at risk.